North Dakota Republican Governor Doug Burgum said on Monday that he will not seek a third term leading the Peace Garden State this year.
The announcement followed Burgum ending his long-shot campaign in the 2024 presidential race last month and a little more than a week after he endorsed former President Donald Trump ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
“Serving as governor and first lady of the great state of North Dakota has been one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences of our lives,” Burgum said in a statement. “Kathryn and I are eternally grateful to the citizens of North Dakota for twice giving us this opportunity to serve the state we love so much.”
North Dakota voters elected Burgum, a wealthy former software executive, to serve as their 33rd governor in November 2016. He won another four-year term in November 2020.
In his statement, Burgum touted “incredible progress” during his seven-year tenure, including on issues such as taxes, the economy, education, state-tribal relations, agriculture, energy, and fighting addiction.
“There’s never been a better time to live, work and raise a family in North Dakota. Our state is extremely well-positioned for the future thanks to the efforts of everyone on Team ND to empower people, improve lives and inspire success,” Burgum said.
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A term limits measure passed in 2022 barred any individual from being elected governor more than twice — though the measure noted that service before its effective date would not count toward the limit.
Prognosticators who assessed the 2024 governor’s race last year determined the GOP was favored to win. At least one person, former Republican state Sen. Tom Campbell, has announced he will run for the office.
Burgum’s current term is set to end on December 14. It was not immediately clear what he would do next, but one person had already floated a possibility.
“He’s one of the best governors in our country,” Trump said at an event last week, appearing with Burgum after Burgum endorsed the former president. “And I hope that I’m going to be able to call on him to be a piece of the administration, a very important piece of the administration.”